Description

Cullen Mangan is Malbac and Petit Verdot. Cullen Mangan has been an underrated wine in the Cullen lineup for many years. But lovers of Malbec need to take note.

With some of the first vines planted in the Margaret River, the Cullen family have made good use of them becoming one of the quality leaders of the West if not the whole of Australia. Excellent wines across the range all of which are farmed biodynamically and made with the highest amount of care and attention. Their work with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and the Cabernet family is amazing; the fruit concentration, mineral drive and ageability are real highlights.

Margaret River

Three hours south of Perth is this land of Cabernet and Chardonnay. Right on the ocean, the climate allows the grapes to mature slowly on the vine. The wines are more powerful in the North and more elegant in the south. The best wines are world-class and are priced to reflect this.

Malbec

You are most likely to find Malbec in Argentina rather than its native South West France. A minor player in Bordeaux and the major grape in the underappreciated Cahors. It has long been the star of Argentina. Intense, tannic, dark-fruited wines with nice acidity. Perfect match for a country that consumes a lot of meat.

Petit Verdot

Often the fifth wine on the depth chart of Bordeaux’s magical quintet. In the great years, it is an amazing variety to work with, but often in the great years, it is not needed. It can add body, structure and acidity but lacks some charm for a single variety wine. But in the hands of a skilful blender it can really lift a wine or in some cases, a particular site can make Petit Verdot sing a song like no other.